Gayaa Dhuwi Co-Chairs the Social and Emotional Wellbeing Policy Partnership
Dr Clinton Schultz, Board Director of Gayaa Dhuwi, is the Co-Chair of the SEWB Policy Partnership, alongside Dr Liz Develin, Deputy Secretary, Department of Health and Aged Care.
The SEWB Policy Partnership was established under the National Agreement on Closing the Gap to drive progress on Outcome 14: that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples enjoy high levels of social and emotional wellbeing, with suicide rates significantly reduced towards zero.
Policy partnerships are formal structures where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders and governments share decision-making. Meeting regularly throughout the year, the SEWB Policy Partnership develops joined-up approaches, identifies priorities, commissions research, and makes recommendations directly to the Joint Council on Closing the Gap.
Its focus is broad and holistic as it covers prevention, protective factors, mental health, suicide prevention, and postvention support to ensure policies and services are coordinated, culturally safe, and effective.
As the lead peak body for Outcome 14, Gayaa Dhuwi plays a central role in guiding this partnership and ensuring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices and leadership are at the heart of reform.
SEWB Policy Partnership Meeting Communiques
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Meeting 6 Communique
The Social and Emotional Wellbeing Policy Partnership held its sixth meeting on 18 and 19 February 2025, on the lands of the Turrbal and Jagera (Yuggera) people in Meanjin (Brisbane). It was co-chaired by Professor Pat Dudgeon AM, Board member, Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Australia (out-going Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Co-Chair), Dr Clinton Schultz, Board member, Gayaa Dhuwi (in-coming Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander CoChair) and Dr Liz Develin, Deputy Secretary, Department of Health and Aged Care (Government CoChair).
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Meeting 5 Communique
The Social and Emotional Wellbeing Policy Partnership held its fifth meeting on 29 August 2024, on Yawuru Country in Broome. It was co-chaired by Professor Pat Dudgeon AM and Dr Liz Develin, Deputy Secretary, Department of Health and Aged Care. The meeting discussed updates on SEWB initiatives, strategic directions for policy alignment, the need for long-term funding, workforce challenges, and key presentations on trauma-informed care, community support, and the SEWB Framework Refresh.
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Meeting 4 Communique
The SEWB Policy Partnership held its fourth meeting on 14 March 2024, on Gadigal Country in Sydney. Members discussed supporting the SEWB workforce in the context of continuing distress associated with the Referendum on the Voice, as well local initiatives such as the Yoorrok Justice Commission and Truth Telling hearings.
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Meeting 3 Communique
The SEWB Policy Partnership held its third meeting on 9 November 2023, in Naarm (Melbourne). The meeting took place shortly after the Referendum on The Voice to Parliament. There was acknowledgement that the referendum has increased incidents of racism in the community and distress is being felt by individuals and communities with impacts on SEWB and mental health workers.
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Meeting 2 Communique
The SEWB Policy Partnership has held its second meeting which took place on 3 August 2023, on Larrakia Country, in Darwin. In line with the intent of the SEWB Policy Partnership, the focus was on progressing the key policy priorities of the partnership. Discussions around refreshing the SEWB Framework and Policy Partnership working plans saw decisions focused on tangible strategies and deliverables moving forward.
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Meeting 1 Communique
The first meeting of the Closing the Gap Social and Emotional Wellbeing Policy Partnership was held on 30-31 March 2023 on Kaurna country in Adelaide. The meeting was positive, open, and frank, with initial discussion focused on building strong foundations for culturally safe governance and ways of working for the Partnership, and the importance of defining SEWB for the purposes of the Partnership, to encompass mental health and suicide prevention.